Marriage Licenses

Marriage Licenses

Couples wishing to obtain a marriage license can do so in-person at City Hall, 30 Church Street, Room  100A, Monday - Friday, between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Civil marriage ceremonies can be scheduled after the couple has obtained a marriage license by calling (585) 428-7421,   Monday - Friday, between 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. 

Information and Requirements

  • Blood tests are no longer required.  
  • To obtain a marriage license, you must bring a certified birth certificate with a raised seal and a current government issued photo identification.  If your birth certificate is in another language other than English or Spanish, a certified translation is required.
  • If you are divorced, you must provide a copy of your most recent divorce decree.  If you have been divorced more than once, you must provide the date(s) of earlier divorce(s). If your divorce decree is in another language other than English or Spanish, a certified translation is required.
  • If a marriage ended due to death, a "certified death certificate" is required.
  • Once issued, the marriage license cannot be used for 24 hours and must be used within sixty days.
  • Witnesses must be at least 18 years of age.
  • For information on how to research an existing marriage license purchased at City Hall from 1910 through the present, please click  here.

Age Requirements

  • Marriages of minors under eighteen years of age is prohibited.  If either applicant is under 18 years of age, a marriage license cannot be issued. 

Fees

There is a $40 fee for a marriage license; a duplicate copy of the license can be provided to authorized persons for a $10 fee, if the original was issued by the City of Rochester. If the exact marriage date is not known, a search can be undertaken for an additional fee, and will require one to five days to be completed. 

As of July 1, 2018, there is a $75 fee for a civil marriage ceremony. 

Getting Married at City Hall

Learn more about having your civil marriage ceremony at City Hall.

Questions?

For additional information, call the Clerk's Licensing Office at (585) 428-6617 Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.